EMMITSBURG, MD (April 21, 2025) — The National Shrine of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton invites families, history lovers, and pilgrims alike to step into the past and experience early 19th-century life during its Academy Alive program from April 28 through May 3.
The annual event, which attracts young people from across the region, highlights how Mother Seton started one of the nation’s first Catholic school for girl’s after she moved to Emmitsburg in 1809. Mother Seton, who also started the first community of religious sisters in the U.S., later became the first native-born American to be canonized as a Catholic saint.
The 50th anniversary of her canonization is on Sept. 14, and the Shrine is in the midst of a year-long celebration that adds a special emphasis to its traditional living history programs.
This year, participants will become part of the story, as they meet girls of the past in difficult circumstances who need Mother Seton and the Sisters of Charity of St. Joseph’s to help them.
Designed to bring to life the daily routines and spiritual practices of the young girls who attended Mother Seton’s school, Academy Alive invites participants to explore history through hands-on activities, storytelling, and demonstrations—all set on the very grounds where Mother Seton lived, worked, and prayed.
“Academy Alive is one of the most beloved experiences we offer because it brings Mother Seton’s world to life in a way that is tangible and deeply meaningful,” said Rob Judge, executive director of the Seton Shrine. “In this special anniversary year, it’s a chance for families to not only learn about Mother Seton, but to walk in her footsteps—literally—and be inspired by her faith, courage, and legacy.”
As part of the day, visitors will meet costumed interpreters portraying Mother Seton’s students and sisters, take part in classes and games of the past, attend faith-based reflection moments, and explore historic sites including the White House—the original 1810 school building and home of the Sisters of Charity. The program offers a rare opportunity for guests of all ages to engage with Catholic history in an accessible, memorable way.
The cost is $8 for adults and $5 for ages 7-18. Age 6 and under are free. Registration is required and can be done athttps://setonshrine.org/academy-alive/.
This year’s Academy Alive is one of many events the Shrine is hosting to mark the 50th anniversary of Mother Seton’s canonization. From a new museum exhibit to a nationwide pilgrimage campaign and a festive “Day of Joy” in September, the anniversary celebration invites the faithful and curious alike to deepen their understanding of a saint who continues to guide and inspire.
For more about the 50th anniversary celebration, visit setonshrine.org/fifty.
The National Shrine of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton
The National Shrine of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton in Emmitsburg, Md., is a place of God and of history, where visitors can walk in the footsteps of a saint. The Shrine offers pilgrims prayerful comfort from Mother Seton’s story and her intercessions as a friend in heaven. It is an active Basilica and has a wide range of historical buildings and programs that show what life was like when Mother Seton lived here more than 200 years ago. It was here that she founded the first community of religious women established in the U.S., created the first free Catholic school for girls staffed by sisters in the U.S. and fulfilled her mission of serving those in need. Today, her legacy includes several religious communities with thousands of sisters, who serve others through schools, social service centers and hospitals throughout the world. She was canonized in 1975. Her remains are entombed at the National Shrine that bears her name. For more information, please visit https://setonshrine.org/.
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